Vol. 480 No. 8
8 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that there are sufficient sea patrol boats and aircraft available to effectively police our 200-mile fishery exclusion zone; if not, the additional numbers which are required; if he is seeking additional EU and national funds for such craft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/97]
In December 1994 the Air Corps took delivery of two CN235 (CASA) aircraft which were acquired with financial assistance from the EU. These aircraft, which were purpose-built and equipped for fishery protection purposes throughout the 200 mile zone, have been deployed in support of Naval Service fishery patrols. In addition, two Dauphin helicopters are equipped to operate in conjunction with the Naval Service vessel, LE Eithne.
The CASA aircraft have a cruising speed of 220 knots and a patrol speed of 180 knots with a maximum endurance time of ten hours. They are equipped with a range of surveillance and data-processing equipment including radar, infra-red cameras and high speed computers. The speed and range of these aircraft permit them to undertake surveillance flights over the entire 200 mile zone. In 1996 the CASA aircraft flew a total of 295 patrols involving 1,715 flying hours and they had flown 210 patrols totalling 1,167 flying hours up to the end of August this year.
I am satisfied that there are sufficient aerial resources available to meet current operational needs. The matter is, however, kept under continual review.
Are there enough naval boats to protect the exclusive fishing zone? Given the number of arrests made by the existing boats one has the distinct impression that at any one time there may be several dozen Spanish trawlers fishing illegally inside our 200-mile exclusive limit. Will the Minister comment on the necessity for more boats or is he happy with the present number?
The naval requirements are satisfactory, the record of the Naval Service in relation to arrests and prosecutions has been excellent and the number of vessels at its disposal is adequate. A competition for a new vessel will come to a close at the end of this month or early next month. The building of this additional vessel will take from 18 months to two years. The three vessels LE Deirdre, LE Eimear and LE Aoife have been refurbished and refurbishment of LE Aisling is under way. The remaining vessels are due to undergo refitting in the period l998-2000. The Naval Service consists of seven patrol vessels which undergo regular and planned maintenance to meet operational requirements.
For the period 1 January l997 to 28 September l997, Naval Service records show 1,815 sightings, 867 boardings and 41 detentions of fishing vessels. The figures for l996 were 2,927 sightings, 1,204 boardings and 33 detentions of fishing vessels. Given such a record we should be proud of the work being done by the Naval Service. Maybe the answer to the Deputy's question is that we do not have enough vessels. The more vessels we have the better. Perhaps the smaller, faster, more manoeuvrable vessel might be considered, particularly in view of the efforts made by the Spaniards, in particular, to hoover the oceans of fish on the one hand and the drug operators on the other. I take the Deputy's point.
I appreciate there are seven vessels but my information is that due to refitting etc. only about three are at sea at any one time. There may also be a difficulty in crewing those boats. Perhaps the Minister could comment on that issue since I have the impression that Naval Service personnel resources have been considerably depleted in recent years. Despite the impressive figures — full marks to the Naval Service who do wonderful work in a difficult situation — I still think the Spaniards are getting away with blue murder and that we do not have sufficient resources to catch as many as we should. They are devastating our fish stocks, doing a disservice to the nation and to Irish fishermen and are a disgrace to the European Union. I would like the Minister to provide more resources.
I would not complain at the last remarks made by the Deputy. They have never been brought to book in relation to the manner in which they literally ride roughshod over the fishing regulations of the European Union. The strength of the Naval Service, including Army attachment, as on 31 August l994 was 1,096. Arising from the recruitment campaign for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force in l996 and l997, 20 recruits were enlisted in the Naval Service on 30 December l996 and 80 have been enlisted this year. A further ten cadets will commence training shortly. It is proposed to enlist seven apprentices for training in the Naval Service in the near future.
Does that take account of natural wastage?
So far as my information is concerned it does. If the Deputy has other information I would be glad to have it.
I do not think we have a sufficient number of vessels.
Given the changing nature of international crime as well as the fishery issue which the Naval Service has to contend with, I agree with Deputy Deasy and the Minister that the number of vessels available needs to be looked at. The Air Corps is providing an excellent service in terms of intelligence feedback on what is happening in our waters and on the many illegal movements but has the Naval Service the capacity to respond quickly enough? In view of the difficulties outlined by Deputy Deasy, is the Minister concerned that it is difficult for the Naval Service to respond, due to the increasing scale of movement, particularly towards Scotland, and the difficulties associated with drug smuggling?
I wish to allay the Deputy's concerns. We have two CASA aircraft which are packed with technological equipment of the highest standard, so much so that they can carry only a limited number of passengers. The bulk of the interior is taken up with this most sophisticated equipment. I invite the Deputies in the House to go on a patrol with the CASA. I would not suggest they stay in the air for ten hours but perhaps they would come for a few hours and see the operation at first hand. That would allay their concerns about it. The Air Corps and the Navy give an exceptional service. We are a small island and are well able to manage our surrounding seas with our two CASA aircraft.
The Minister has misunderstood my point. My concern is about the ability of the naval service to respond to the amount of information and to act on it, given the naval service resources at the moment. I thank the Minister for his offer. In passing I thank him also for the briefings which were given to me and which have been very helpful.
I am sure the Navy would be delighted to have Deputy Fitzgerald aboard one of their ships.
They might even rename the vessel.
The Minister is in danger of not taking the matter seriously.
I take the issue seriously and I assure the Deputy that the Navy is well up to the mark in respect of the concerns she has expressed.
